english bricklayer/mason here to pick brains and vice versa

[burnsy]

hi, names Wayne, been in the trade since I started my working life (18 yr ago)
time served apprentice, live in cheltenham,gloucestershire,uk
which is in the cotswolds if you've heard of them
have been involved in all sorts of contracts from small works to(at the time)largest single construction site in europe (its in cheltenham and homer loves them!)
have built in england,ireland,scotland,wales,holland & germany,
I have built in block,face brickwork, re-constituted and natural stone,
too many contracts to list but my proudest was re-building the west wing stone pagoda and surrounding architecture of Faringdon Hall (A stately home owned by the national trust & lord & lady faringdon)
I don't want to blow my own trumpet but I have pride in my work
just thought i'd post to see what demand there is for a tradesman like myself in the land of oppurtunity!
I'm a dying breed here, trade shortage after the 80's
no apprentices wanting to take up the trade and not many trowels who actually enjoy what they're doing all day!
any way, if i can help you,I will.
and an insight into my trade in your country welcomed an appreciated
thanks

[Rich]

A wealth of information I'm sure.. welcome to the forum.

[mjpliv]

It definatly a dying art. Finding a decent mason is getting harder every year. Its a good thing we only do brick veneers here in my area.

[Tom R]

Welcome, burnsy, welcome. This forum just gets better and better.

[Shanley]

Hey Burnsy...I live in CT and work all over New England...I also have been in the trade my entire working life 27 Years...I have been a Project Manager for the last 3 years...my speciality is Public Works projects (Schools, Prisons, water treatment plants, etc)...We average $25 million gross volume per year, so we have enjoyed plenty of work....we have about 150 bricklayers on the payroll...we curently have $11 million on the books, so there is plenty of work here, especially for a good trowel...We do brick, block, precast,cast stone, cut stone, natural stone and A/V Barriers... Welcome aboard

[burnsy]

thanks guys,
so what is the average income for a decent trowel in the states?
here it's around £450-£550 after tax etc for daily rate sitework but I've set up on my own now for small works and getting in around £750 plus per week, price of living is quite expensive here though which i believe is not the case there

[Shanley]

Our bricklayers are Union out of BAC Local 3 Boston...they get $36.00/hr ($1440/week) before taxes in their envelope...$52.00/hr total with health, welfare, and fringe...Open shop in this area pays between $25/hr ($1000/week) and $35/hr ($1400/week) our foremen get $40/Hr ($1600/week), company truck and gas card...we are always looking for good trowels and we have a ton of work...let me know if your planning on coming over

[Rich]

I'll be right there. :)